"Watch this play unfold as the
Indiana player (Tamika Catchings) moves the ball down on offense into the key.
On this play, the defender (Dawn Staley) gets to the spot first and has her torso
in a perpendicular to the path of the offensive player, who then makes contact
with the defender after passing the ball. This is accurately called an offensive
foul."

Q. How did you first get into officiating?"I
actually played college basketball at Morehead State University, a little school
in Eastern Kentucky. I really wanted to stay involved in the game, got into coaching
and did that for a little bit, then kinda fell into officiating.

Q. So having
been a player and a coach, does that help you understand what players are thinking
or how they might react?"It helps a tremendous amount. When you play the
game, you have a better feel for it. I can see frustrations and remember instances
from when I played. I can relate and understand if they are angry or upset. It's
a big part of what I do."

Q. Is this your full-time job?"Well I don't
have a construction business like Bryan (Enterline). I wish I did, though. No,
I am a full-time referee. I work the college season, then get a little bit of
a break and then start the WNBA season. That's what I do full-time."

Q. Are
there any games or memories that stand out?"Anytime you work a Final Four,
it is a special experience. Last year was the second year in a row. Being involved
in that is a wonderful feeling. But every game is important and they are all big
games."

Q. What would you say is the toughest part about your job?"You
hear a lot of officials say this, but the travel is really the hardest part of
what we do. It can wear you down some. You just have to get sleep and eat right.
The fans and the criticism that we occasionally hear is part of it. You just don't
take it personally."

Tina
Napier was front and center with her fellow refs at this year's All-Star Game.

Q.
So this is something you could see yourself doing forever?"Absoutely.
I hope so. I hope I can stay healthy and the passion is still there. I love basketball,
so I'm going to be doing something with this game."

Q. How long have you
been a ref with the WNBA?"I am going to finish up my sixth season this
year."

Q. In those six years, how do you think the league has changed?"The
players are definitely bigger, stronger, quicker, more athletic. I have games
sometimes where I marvel at what the players are able to do. I recently worked
a game where Lindsay Whalen was playing and some of the things she did in that
game were unthinkable back a few years ago. There used to be 5-6 or 5-7 guards,
but now there are 6-0, 6-1 guards. Back then, those were your power forwards."

Q.
So with a bigger, more physical games, does that change the way you call a game?"We
are always evolving with the game. We have to. If we don't keep growing and evolving,
then it is not good for the game. We have to stay with it."

Video

Last week, Lauren Hill of Mount St. Joseph University courageously took the floor for her first college game, refusing to let an inoperable brain tumor keep her from achieving her dream – and WNBA stars Elena Delle Donne and Tamika Catchings were on hand to lend their support.